Talent has never been an issue for Texas football under head coach Steve Sarkisian in the Big 12 and now in the SEC for the next season. Sarkisian and Texas have regained the program’s position as a national contender in college football, just in time for the SEC’s debut season this fall.
Texas football’s young depth and talent in the spotlight this preseason
Texas boasts impressive young talent in their 2024 two-deep depth chart, showcasing underclassmen on both sides of the ball. This depth was highlighted by 247Sports’ “20under20” list, ranking the best young college football players for the upcoming season.
Two Longhorns made the list: redshirt freshman quarterback Arch Manning and sophomore linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. This marks a first for Texas under coach Sarkisian, with two players on such a list, despite one not being a starter.
Hill was a clear choice, having been one of the most impactful true freshmen in the Big 12 last season. He tied for second on the team in sacks (five) and third in tackles for loss (8.0), earning Big 12 Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year and Freshman All-American honors from FWAA and ESPN. Expectations are high for Hill as he enters his second season.
Manning is poised to make significant progress as Texas’s backup quarterback, ready to step in for Quinn Ewers. He’s considered the future of Sarkisian’s offense.
This depth and talent among underclassmen highlight the strength of Texas’s 2023 recruiting class. Other notable talents not included in the 247Sports list are sophomore wideout Johntay Cook II, sophomore running back CJ Baxter Jr., sophomore safety Derek Williams Jr., and sophomore cornerback Malik Muhammad, all of whom are expected to be standout performers in the SEC and possibly nationwide by the end of the 2024 season.